According to AXA, a well-presented and maintained garden can add 20% to the value of your house. If you want to use your garden to increase your property value, but don’t know where to start, you’re in the right place! This article will cover some great tips on what you can do.
Include Garden Decking
Many experts say that decking can add 10% in value to your home! An area like this is perfect for a table and chairs. This type of setup is ideal for catching up with guests and enjoying meals in the Summer. You could even add a barbeque to your decking. This area also creates the illusion of extra space in your property. A spot for entertainment and relaxation can look attractive to buyers.
If people are viewing your property, you can set up this area to look exciting. This way, they can see how to make use of it. Composite decking is extremely versatile and attractive for buyers. Mainly due to it being low maintenance, and ability to make the garden feel larger. For example, you might paint any surroundings like your fence the same colour.
Use Fencing To Make Your Garden Secure
People with young children and pets may be searching for a secure garden. If there’re any gaps, make sure these are filled in by fencing or something similar. A secure garden can also create a barrier of protection against thieves. Locks and CCTV cameras can give new owners an extra layer of reassurance that they’re safe. Tall fences, garden walls and hedges can also create privacy which a lot of people look out for when buying a house. If neighbours can see you when you’re in your garden, your outside area might be lacking in privacy.
If you think your fences or garden walls look unattractive, make them look more interesting. For a wall, you could add greenery like climbing plants. For a fence or hedges, you could attach fairy lights. Small touches like these make someone looking to buy your property more intrigued.
Add a Summer House or Garden Office
If it’s high quality, adding one of these can add 5% – 15% to the value of your house. Having a summer house or garden office can make your house stand out from others on the market. A summer house can be used in many ways like for relaxation, hobbies and entertainment. This gives new buyers the opportunity to use it however they want to. A garden office provides a private place to work with a clear separation between home and work life. This will be desirable for people who work from home or those in education with assignments to complete. If new buyers would prefer to use your garden office as a summer house, then they can make changes and vice versa.
Make Your Garden Stand Out with Features
A summer house is just one feature out of many which could be seen as desirable to potential new owners. Here are some other features you might consider adding to your garden to make it stand out:
- Water features: These create a sense of tranquillity in your garden and can attract wildlife like birds and butterflies. Ponds in particular are attractive to people searching for their forever home
- Garden shed: Most people use these for storage, but they can also be used in other ways like a place for hobbies. New buyers are sure to make use of your garden shed in one way or another. Having one of these could add up to 10% to the value of your property
- Good lighting: Features like fairy lights and lighting for your decking can give a garden more personality
- Outdoor kitchen: These are expensive to install, but have a high return on investment. Some sources say this could range between 50% and 200%
Presentation is Key
A house with a messy garden can look scruffy to new buyers. Landscaping can make a garden look appealing and well maintained. A mowed lawn, stone areas, bright flowers and trimmed trees all make a garden look pristine. If one area of your garden looks dull, do something to bring it to life!
Hopefully this article has given you some good ideas. You don’t have to be the most creative person in the world to transform your garden.